Reply by tyskkvinna

Devann is correct.. I run a communal workshop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. You are of course welcome to stop by, though it is kind of a drive.. :)

The liability is a factor, for sure, but it’s not that bad. We have good insurance. There is a fair amount of overhead (insurance, electricity, big electricity, gas, etc) but I think one of the big reasons why we’ve been able to do pretty well versus what I see with a lot of other people is the shop I run is not just a woodshop. In fact I think the majority of the people who use the space do electronics related things.

Most of the people who use the woodshop are not “woodworkers”, per se, but people who want to do a little here and there. Make a shelf, fix a rack, make a box, etc. I would absolutely welcome any serious woodworker who wants to do the bulk of their creation in my shop.

We don’t have much issue with tools being broken. I go to a lot of effort to make sure people know what they are doing, and we collect donated tools so there’s a large variety in various stages of awesomeness. the more expensive the tool, the more you better be able to show you can handle it. :)

Anyway, back to the initial topic—You are welcome to contact me directly (as is any other LJer) for more info about spaces like this and maybe somebody in my group would know of one in your area.